By MICHAEL GUERIN
He has got the draw, the ability and the trials form.
But has Hero got the fitness to do the near-impossible at Alexandra Park tonight?
Last season's speed freak juvenile and Sales Series winner returns to racing in the $25,000 Golden Mile, taking on the best 3-year-old field assembled at The Park for three years.
Hero looks a natural miler and an almost certain leader from the ace at the tricky mile start, but even his ever-confident trainer Wayne Ross is worried about the quality of opposition while his stable star is fresh.
"This is a tough field with a lot of good horses and taking them on fresh-up is a concern," said Ross.
Hero played second fiddle to Matai Mackenzie only last season but both horses are up against it this season as the three-year-old crop has thrown up new stars like Franco Heir (missing tonight but trialling at Alexandra Park tomorrow), Young Rufus and Taihape Tickler.
Joining them tonight is the bad luck horse of last season's freshman crop City Rogue.
Such depth suggests tonight's first leg of Pick Six will outshine even the sensational fields later in the programme.
Hero has not raced since May but has been to two Alexandra Park workouts in the last two weeks for caretaker trainer Mark Purdon.
"Mark has been looking after him and doing a great job as always. I came up to watch his workout last week and he was a nose second to Taihape Tickler," said Ross.
While there may be some concern because of Hero's lack of race fitness, Ross says driver Kevin Townley will not be taking the soft option.
"My horses don't take a sit. He'll lead and try and stay there," he said.
If Hero is found one run short then Young Rufus and City Rogue looks the most likely benefactors.
Both produced two stunning efforts at the New Zealand Cup meeting and have shown they can work in their races.
They also both appear likely to be better suited by the 2700m of the GN Derby in two weeks than tonight's sprint but has class and race fitness on their side.
Racing: Fitness only concern as Hero faces top crop
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